Crown Melbourne’s Conservatory

This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of World Gaming magazine.

The Panda checked out the best buffet down under, as it might just be the perfect place for your pre poker chow-down before hitting the tables at the Aussie Millions.

Let me say something right off the bat: buffet dining is not my favorite. I would much prefer to dine at a specialist establishment to see how they stack up against what they claim to do best. Having said that, buffet dining definitely has its merits. You get a bit of everything and if you are dining with a group there is something for everyone.

The Conservatory has always been Crown Melbourne’s number one buffet. It has just gone through a refurbishment and is now better than ever. It might not be as big as other world-class buffets like Bellagio in Las Vegas, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality. Bad buffets are an abomination to the culinary world and I would rather eat a pack of stale crackers! The Conservatory’s cuisine will never be considered anything but world-class.

I was lucky enough to enjoy the company of a good-looking female panda who happened to be a vegetarian, not a carnivorous beast like me. She did eat seafood, however, so let’s start there.

Australia has fantastic seafood and the Conservatory is one of the places to go if you want to sample a wide range of wonders from the Aussie Ocean. You won’t get a tired plate of prawns and some seafood extender here. The prawns are big and fresh and look as if they could have jumped straight out of the ocean and onto your plate. Mussels, crabs, oysters, salmon and even a seafood laksa will satisfy your need for a seafood fix.

There is also a great range of vegetarian options and my dining partner was very happy with what was on offer. I was taken care of well with a big cut of prime rib on the bone that was tender and juicy. Both the BBQ pork and crispy pork belly were as good as any I have had anywhere. I did have a hankering for duck, but it wasn’t on the BBQ menu.

There is a very good selection of both western and eastern options available. You can also enjoy great cold cuts, fresh and exciting salad options, and some excellent sushi and Vietnamese rice paper rolls. If you are an American and want to find 10,000 options on offer then look elsewhere. There is a wide selection but it’s not over the top. What is there, is well cooked, well presented and constantly topped up and attended to.

I left the best till last and if, like me, you are the kind of bear who likes a few sweet sensations after a good meal then you have definitely come to the right place. This is the best desert buffet I have ever seen! The white and dark chocolate fountain is a good place to start. You can dip marshmallows and fresh fruit into the flowing chocolate to your heart’s content. This will have the child in all of us wideeyed and loving life. On that note, this is definitely a family friendly environment, but also one that caters to a more intimate dining experience.

There is delicious ice cream and a plethora of puddings, deserts and pastries that will blow you away. I struggled to squeeze myself out of the front door after I was finished. Attempting to list the range of sweet delights is futile, just trust me when I say that your sweet tooth will be on overdrive here. Also, make sure you get a coffee. Thankfully you can finish off with a perfectly brewed espresso.

I had a great meal here, simply perfect for those planning on playing cards or baccarat for the rest of the day. As I said, I am not a buffet fanatic but the Conservatory with its modern style and décor has won me over this time. Well done Crown, yet again another improvement on an old favorite.